Class overview

6th Grade Beginning Orchestra:

No experience is required to join a 6th grade orchestra, only a desire to practice daily and improve with the ensemble!  I will start from the beginning and will teach you all the basics of holding your instrument to reading music notation.  You will have the choice of violin, viola, cello, or double bass.  We will, together, agree on instrument assignments based upon student choice and ensemble needs.  If you have experience, I will need your support and leadership with helping anyone new to Orchestra.  We are a team.  The goal of the class is to discover different types of music and develop individual skills before applying them to the ensemble.  Instruction will include instrument assembly, care, safety, and maintenance, characteristic tone production, air support, the comprehension, interpretation, and composition of notated music, aural skill development, and the role of the individual in the ensemble, both as musicians and team members.  Your student will have the opportunity to perform with their ensemble, as well as a competition called Solo & Ensemble Contest.  This class will prepare students for 7th grade Orchestra, and students will have to demonstrate these new skills in order to move onto 7th grade Orchestra.  

7th Grade Experienced Orchestra:

Students will continue to develop their instrumental technique, both as individuals, and ensemble members.  The students’ musical skills will develop to include 6 of 12 major scales, an introduction to minor scales, as well as Orchestra literature of at least grade II level.  Instruction will include performances at adjudicated Solo and Ensemble Contest , as well as other performances throughout the year.  Successful completion of this class will allow students to advance to 8th Grade Orchestra.  

8th Grade Orchestra:

Students will continue to develop their musical skills to include all major and minor scales, introduction to shifting, as well as Orchestra literature of at least grade III level.  Instruction will include performances in adjudicated Solo & Ensemble Contest  ,as well as other performances throughout the year.  By the end of the year, students will have achieved a basic understanding of shifting on their instrument and feel prepared to move on to their High School Orchestra.

Chamber Orchestra:

This is an after school club.  Students of all grade levels are welcome to join and will audition in order to join.  Auditions take place after school.  The focus on this club this year will be small ensemble and large ensemble music. We will meet once a week for 2 hours.  This gives students a chance to perform challenging music and work with a smaller group of students such as duets (2), trios (3), or quartets (4).